Athens This Weekend: September 13 - 15

While the UGA football team is taking a well-deserved break after beating down on the Gamecocks last Saturday, this weekend offers plenty of other fun things to do in Athens, Georgia! We are already half-way through September and that means that there are an abundance of cool events to keep boredom at bay! With so much going on, take the opportunity to grab your friends and family and try something new in the Classic City!

Last year's UGA team went undefeated in this two-day tournament and is back to defend their title in this year's Benson's Hospitality Group two day Invitational! Catch the UGA Volleyball team in their games against North Florida, Louisiana-Lafayette, and UNC Greensboro. All dedicated fans will be rewarded for their promptness, with prizes being given out each day to the first couple hundred fans to arrive at each game. Bring the whole family because the tournament with also be featuring a Carnival Day! Kids can enjoy carnival games, balloon animals, face painting and a bounce house on the concourses. Sports, carnival games, prizes, and halftime performances...what more could you ask for? The games are free so get there early and show your support!

 

If you're looking to see some good music this weekend, look no further than the Dirty Dozen Brass Band! They were once asked to play the main stage at the VERY FIRST Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival back in 2002, and I think that says all you need to know about this unique musical experience. Come witness the magic of this captivating act as they spread their authentic New Orleans sound and preach their brass blend up and down the country to the delight of audiences young and old. Head over to The Melting Point on Sunday night for a chance to breath in the rich sounds of the French Quarter! Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.! Get your tickets here!

 

From the Beginning: The Art of Jack Davis is an all-new exhibit opening Thursday at the Gallery @ Hotel Indigo, with works by acclaimed illustrator Jack Davis, known for his masterful pen and ink work for MAD Magazine, EC Comics, TIME, Newsweek, TV Guide, and Esquire magazines, dozens of movie posters, hundreds of album covers, and of course beloved sports caricatures.

Other Events

Fit Family Fun Fest , Sat., 10 a.m. - 12 noon, Bishop Park 3rd Annual Keepin' It Clean Dirty Dance Party, Sat. 5:30 - 9 p.m., Little Kings Shuffle Club Galactic at Georgia Theatre, Sat. doors 8 p.m., show 10:30 p.m.; Georgia Theatre

 

Other Athens Events

Fit Family Fun Fest , Sat., 10 a.m. - 12 noon, Bishop Park 3rd Annual Keepin' It Clean Dirty Dance Party, Sat. 5:30 - 9 p.m., Little Kings Shuffle Club Galactic at Georgia Theatre, Sat. doors 8 p.m., show 10:30 p.m.; Georgia Theatre

There's so much going on this weekend so make sure not to miss out on the many things you can do around the Classic City! Take advantage of the UGA football bye week and check out all that Athens has to offer before North Texas comes to town next Saturday! Have a great weekend and GO DAWGS!

Athens This Memorial Day Weekend: May 24 - 27

Memorial Day Weekend is finally in sight, and that means a 3-day break for many. This weekend, the events in the Classic City make Athens a wonderful place to kick off summer vacation season in Georgia.   

This week, UGA has been honored to host the NCAA Women's Collegiate Golfers Championships on their golf course.  Friday is the fourth and final day of competition, and the golfing will last all day.  Everyone is invited to come out and cheer on their favorite team and enjoy the unique experience of watching an advanced-level golf tournament.  Daily admission is $25 for adults and $8 for seniors and students.  Go Dawgs!

The Melting Point is starting summer vacation the right way with two shows this weekend!  The Holman Autry Band will take the stage at 9 p.m. on Friday with their Lynyrd Skynyrd "Southern Rock" and "Country" sounds.  The band is from Madison County, GA, located just outside of Athens.  Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 on the day of the show.  Saturday night at The Melting Point features The Normaltown Flyers 33-and-a-third year reunion at 8 p.m.  They will play three sets of music to represent the most distinct eras of their history.  The first set will feature the original three members of the band performing acoustic music just as they used to.  The second set will be performed by the band members that were signed to Mercury Nashville and will include songs from their two Mercury CDs with a few choice covers.  Set three is sure to evoke a dance party with the current lineup of Brian Burke, Tom Ryan, Davis Causey, and Deane Quinter. In the spirit of the reunion, the band will have some vintage Normaltown Flyers vinyl for sale at the show! Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the show. Come enjoy dinner when the doors open at 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. You don't want to miss these bands!

Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, is this weekend! The place to be for the holiday this year is the Memorial Day in Memorial Park party. This family-friendly event will feature face painting, music, swimming, inflatables, games, and more! The celebration lasts from noon - 3 p.m., and the pool is open 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. for a $1 charge per swimmer. Feel free to pack a lunch or purchase concessions at the park. It will be a fun afternoon for all ages!

Ever admired the painted bulldogs around Athens? Here's the chance to win one of your own! All runners in the 10th Annual Running With The Dawgs 5K will be entered to win a tabletop dog.  Runners will take their marks at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 27 at the Classic Center. Race registration starts at 7 a.m. and costs $20 per runner.  Families of up to four people may pre-register for $45!

More events this weekend:

• Terrapin Co. Free Tastings and Tours, Wed. through Sat. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• ATHICARDS: A Deck of Athens Art Show Opening, Athica, Fri. through Sun. 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.    
• Sandy Creek Park Monthly Fishing Contest, Sat. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Athens Farmers Market, Bishop Park, Sat. 8 a.m. - 12 noon      1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

While you're having fun this weekend, remember the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country.  Thank you for your service, veterans!  We live in a wonderful country and have so much to be thankful for.  For more Memorial Weekend ideas, check out the Visit Athens, Georgia calendar, and be sure to join the mailing list to stay informed about all Athens has to offer!

Athens This Weekend: November 9-11

Our football team heads to Auburn this weekend to clinch the SEC East, but we have plenty of fun planned for Athens, Georgia! Cheer on a UGA Sports team, celebrate the Athens' dining and arts scene with a Pot Luck or head to the Morton Theatre for a family-friendly musical. 

UGA Sports for all!

What a great month for UGA sports! Men's Basketball kicks-off Friday night against Jacksonville & the Women's team plays Rutgers on Sunday! Don't miss Men's Tennis Bulldog Scramble all weekend & two Women's Volleyball matches! 

Smoke on the Mountain Play

This hilarious, award-winning  musical shares a message of faith, family and forgiveness. With heartfelt gospel songs and down-to-earth characters, "Smoke" is a celebration of bluegrass gospel at its finest. Watch the musical at the Morton Theatre Saturday at 7:30 or Sunday at 3.

Center Pot Luck Gourmet Meal

Join ATHICA & Citizen Advocacy Athens-Clarke (CAAC) for the Center Pot Luck. Food will be provided by 5&10, DePalma’s, The Grit, Home.made Catering, The National, and White Tiger with food from acclaimed Athens' restaurants & the option to purchase plates by local ceramicists Laura Cooper, Maria Dondero, Jennifer Graff, Nancy Green, Rob Sutherland, and Rebecca Wood as a keepsake. Expect a "Pot Luck" of local musicians to entertainment. Don’t miss this great community event with some of Athens’ finest food, art, and music and help support the programming at ATHICA and CAAC! 

For more events, including:

• Athens Farmers Market, Sat. @ 8 a.m.-Noon
• Junior League of Athens Fall Event featuring the Swingin' Medallions, Fri. @ 6 p.m. 
• Athens Rock & Gem Club Show, Sat. @ 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 
• Athens Heritage Walks: Henderson Ave. Historic District, Sun. @ 3

Athens This Weekend: September 14-16

Up in Athens, GA, we can feel fall slowly making it's way into town! It should be a beautiful time in the Classic City. This weekend, UGA hosts Florida Atlantic for the first night game of the season. In addition, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is hosting a fun family festival and of course, plenty of great music all around town. Why make it a Gameday when you can make it a Football Weekend? Check out our page for your go-to guide! 

1. UGA Football vs. Florida Atlantic

Tickets are sold out for Saturday's game at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs are 2-0 after a battle in Missouri last week. It will be the first night game of the season, with a kick-off at 7:30 p.m. against Florida Atlantic.

2. Insectival, 20th Annual

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia will host the family-friendly Insectival festival on Saturday, 9/14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will plenty of fun activities with prizes, including a roach and beetle race, puppet show, and a butterfly release. Admission is $5 per child, or a $20 family maximum.

3. 2012 Yuengling Gridiron Music Series 

Every Friday and Saturday evening of the 2012 Football season, The Melting Point at the Foundry will host live musical performances on home game weekends. This Friday, motown band The Grains of Sand will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, The Hands of Time begin at 4 p.m. for a free tailgate party, so you can get to Sanford just in time for kick-off!

Other Events:

Athens Heritage Walks: Buena Vista Heights, presented by the Athens Heritage Foundation. Sunday @ 2 p.m.

UGA Womens Soccer vs. Vanderbilt, at the UGA Soccer Complex. Friday @ 7 p.m.

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens? Check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
  
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens This Weekend Aug 24-26

Every weekend is a great weekend in Athens, GA and this one is no exception! If you want to explore the great outdoors, you can do it. Want to see some of the best bluegrass, soul and country bands in the area? Look no further than the Classic City for amazing events, attractions, and things to do. 

1. Concerts at the Georgia Theatre

The Drive-By Truckers will take stage at the Georgia Theatre on Thursday and Friday night at 8 p.m. Since their last show in Athens, DBT released their newest album "Go-Go Boots" and have received acclaim all over the country! We're so happy to have them back home! Tickets are sold out for Friday night, but you still have a chance for Thursday night. This is one you won't want to miss.

On Saturday at 8 p.m., bluegrass group The Packway Handle Band will headline another night showcasing Athens' musical prowess. Packway Handle is known for their performance style of "gather around the mic" coupled with powerful 4-part harmonies. Folk/Americana bands The Corduroy Road and Cicada Rhythm will open on Saturday night.

These shows will make for a great weekend on the corner of Lumpkin & Clayton!

2. Nighttime Paddle 

Ever spent an evening on the lake during a full moon? You'll get your chance this weekend at Sandy Creek Park! One of Sandy Creek's best attractions, Lake Chapman will be open from 9-11 p.m. for visitors and residents alike to canoe or kayak on the lake. 

Registration is required, so call 706-613-3631 and reserve your spot on the lake! This program is designed for ages 12+. Can't make it this Friday? Don't worry! The Park will host  more Nighttime Paddles every two weeks through the end of October.  

 3. UGA Women's Volleyball Benson Hospitality Bulldog Invitational

A lot of you out there are experiencing post-Olympic depression. It's tough, but you may not have to wait until 2016 to feel that gut-wrenching, heart-stopping excitement from London. This weekend, the best women's volleyball players in the region from UGA, Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Troy University will compete international play against each other and Slovenian National Team at the Ramsey Center. Games start at 1 p.m. on Friday (UGA plays at 7 p.m.) and continue through Sunday afternoon. There may not be a gold medal ceremony at the end of the weekend, but we promise you'll have fun!



Want a complete list of all upcoming activities and goings-on in Athens? Check out our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia.
 
Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City!

Athens This Weekend: May 18-20

The weekend is finally here! With the school year winding down and the official start to the summer season just around the corner, this weekend is the perfect chance to get the family out to enjoy the gorgeous weather. Come participate in various Athens GA events ranging from outdoor sports and adventures to more relaxing family-friendly events. Here are a few ideas for this weekend that will hopefully spark your interest!

1. Friday Night Paddles at Sandy Creek Park

Join in for an evening paddling around Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park on Friday, May 18 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The program is offered to those ages 12 years and older, and the cost is $8 for Athens-Clarke County residents without a boat, or $5 for Athens-Clarke County residents who come bringing their own canoes or kayaks. Non-county residents will be charged $12, or $8 if bringing their own boat. Registration and payment are required in advance and can be made by calling 706-613-3631. Be sure to reserve your spot today!

2. Winterville Marigold Festival

This annual festival began 30 years ago as an attempt to bring citizens together to refresh and beautify the town of Winterville. Come out for the traditional Country Breakfast, which begins at 7 a.m., followed by the Marigold 5k at 8 a.m. and then music and other activities all day from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy a parade, crafts, street dancing, delicious food, and much more!

3. NCAA Tennis Championships

Come experience the thrill of watching some of the country's best collegiate athletes as the University of Georgia hosts the 2012 NCAA Tennis Championships here in Athens at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. The men's quarterfinals will be held on Sunday, May 20, followed by the semifinals on Monday, May 21, and the finals on Tuesday, May 22. The women's quarterfinals are on Saturday, May 19, followed by the semifinals on Monday and the finals on Tuesday. Be sure to come out and cheer on the Dawgs!